Coin package



G. H. WARFEL COIN PACKAGE Sept. 12, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 17, 1964 INVENTOR. GEORGE H M/A/QFEL ATTORNEYS Sept. 2, 1967 G. H. WARFEL 3,341,110

COIN PACKAGE Filed Nov. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 650 665 H, WA PFEL a A/filh 1% A 7' TO/PNE K5 United States Patent 3,341,110 COIN PACKAGE George H. Warfel, Menlo Park, Calif, assignor to Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, San Francisco, Calif.

Filed Nov. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 411,812 1 Claim. (Cl. 22987.2)

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 311,835, filed Sept. 26, 1963, for Coin Packaging Machine.

This invention relates to a coin package and the method of forming such package, wherein a body of coins is wrapped in a transparent, flexible wrapper for convenient handling by banks, commercial houses and other handlers of coins in quantity.

In handling coins in large quantities, it is conventional practice to arrange a predetermined number of coins of the same denomination into a solid cylindrical body or unit and to provide a wrapper for the coin body. A variety of wrappers are in present use producing packages which are in many respects unsatisfactory.

A widely used form of coin wrapper is an open-ended paper tube which is normally folded flat and then expanded for endwise insertion of coins. With this type of wrapper coins are inserted through one of the open ends individually or in small groups and not in one step as a complete body. The resulting package does not produce a tight wrap, since the tube dimension must be large enough to permit easy endwise insertion of the coins, and the wrapper end portions are folded closed and thereby subject to accidental opening.

The shotgun-shell, or cartridge-type wrapper and other similar wrappers are also subject to the objection that they require careful manipulation of coins for insertion through the one open end of the wrapper. Another type of existing wrapper is a flat sheet which is rolled together with the coins into convolutions. With this wrapper rolling of the coins is an awkward process producing a relatively loose and sloppy package. Helical seams in such a wrapper are not bonded and tend to separate and buckle.

Forms of the various conventional wrappers utilizing transparent materials exist but are subject to the same above-noted defects. In the case of conventional coin wrappers, it is necessary to include one or more manual steps in the formation process, and efforts to utilize these wrappers in a rapid, fully automatic mechanical formation process have met with less than complete success.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved coin package wherein a predetermined number of coins are securely wrapped as a single coin body in a transparent wrapper.

It is another object of this invention to provide a coin package wherein a body of coins is enclosed in a wrapper conforming to the contour of the body affording easier stacking and handling of the packages.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a coin package capable of flexing thereby producing a tough package for withstanding abuse during handling and yet presenting a uniform and neat general appearance.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a coin package including an improved strengthened seam for resisting splitting or bursting during handling of the package.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a method for packaging coins in which manipulation of the stack or body of coins is substantially eliminated.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a method of forming a coin package in which the degree of firmness with which the wrapper engages the body of coins may be readily adjusted.

It is an even further object of this invention to provide a method for packaging coins which may be effected rapidly and completely automatically on packaging forming apparatus.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage which are set forth in the following description of a preferred form illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claim.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin body and wrapper being associated during an initial step in the method of forming the coin package of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coin body and wrapper of FIG. 1 during a subsequent step of cutting and sealing the wrapping material.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the coin body and wrapper of FIG. 1 during a third step in the method of forming the package of this invention of shrinking the same.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a completed coin package embodying this invention.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the package of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the package taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the coin package taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the coin package of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 4, a preferred embodiment of the coin package comprises a transparent wrapper 1 within which is enclosed a cylindrical body of coins 2. The wrapper 1 extends around the cylindrical surface of and across the opposite ends of said body.

Coin body 2 may be formed by the apparatus of copending application, Ser. No. 311,835, or by other means to provide a solid cylindrical body or unit of a predetermined number of individual coins 3 of a given denomination, in axial alignment and face-to-face contact,

Wrapper 1 is formed from a sheet or portion of a strip of relatively thin, transparent, heat-shrinkable and heatsealable plastic material and includes a circular cylindrical tubular portion 4 (FIG. 4) of a single layer of the sheet material curved into engagement with the cylindrical surface of coin body 2. The marginal end portions of the sheet material at each end of body 2 provide radially inwardly directed, generally annular flanges 6 engaging the outer faces of the endmost coins 3a, 3b (FIG. 6).

A seam 7 extends longitudinally of the cylindrical surface of body 2 in overlying relation to tube 4, and includes end portions 8 extending radially inwardly at each end of body 2 and overlying flanges 6. Seam 7 is formed by the marginal edge portions 11, 12 (FIGS. 6, 7) of the sheet of wrapping material being bonded together. In the preferred completed form of package inner portion of scam element 11 is folded back upon tube 4 and flanges 6 and outer portion or seam element 12 overlies the same.

Formation of the coin package is preferably accomplished by utilizing the apparatus of copending application, Ser. No. 311,835, but may be effected by an appropriate sequence of manual operations or other suitable means. The formation method hereinbelow set out is accomplished with the apparatus of said copending application.

Initially, a predetermined number of individual coins 3 of a given denomination are arranged in axial alignment and face-to-face contact to provide a solid cylindrical coin body 2 (FIG. 1). Body 2 may be maintained in such condition as a unit by any suitable means, such as a pair of gripping members engaging the ends of the coin body and exerting axial compressive forces thereon.

The wrapping material utilized in forming the package of this inveniton is conveniently provided in the form of an elongated strip or sheet 13 (FIG. 1) which is preferably disposed with its marginal edge portions 11, 12 supported on the upper surfaces of a pair of spaced, opposed knife blades 14 so that an intermediate portion of strip 13 spans the gap between the pair. Blades 14 are respectively mounted on a pair of opposed, reciprocable platens 15, with the opposed leading edges 16 of the platens spaced apart a slightly greater distance than the cutting edges 17 of blades 14 in their retracted position.

Coin body 2 is positioned on the intermediate portion of strip 13 over the gap between supports 14, with its axis extending parallel to said gap, thereby depressing the strip or sheet to a position (FIG. 1) wherein coin body 2 is resting in a U-shaped loop of the same having sidewalls 18, 19 extending upwardly along opposite sides of the coin body. The width of sheet 13 is greater than the length of body 2 so that its marginal end portions 21 extend axially outwardly of the ends of the coin body.

It should be noted that insertion of coins 3 through the gap and into position to be wrapped is accomplished by a single movement of the coin body as a unit rather than by a progressive coin-by-coin insertion.

The next step in the method is the completion of the formation of the wrapper into tubular form (FIG. 2), accomplished by platens 15 and blades 14 moving toward each other with opposed leading edges 16 of platens 15 coming together immediately above coin body 2 and carrying sidewalls 18, 19 around the remainder thereof. Edges 16 also hold the marginal edge portions 11, 12 of the wrapper sheet in abutting relation and retain the tube 4 around the cylindrical surface of body 2.

At approximately the same time, cutting edges 17 of blades 14 shear past each other, severing the tubular wrapper and projecting edge portions 11, 12 from a waste end 24 and the remainder 25' of the strip from which wrapper sheet 13 is thereby formed.

The forward edge 16 of one platen 15 of the pair is Platen edges 16 are formed to complementary angles with respect to an extended radius of coin body 2 so that sealed edge portions 11, 12 are partly folded or inclined toward one side of seam 7 (FIGS. 2, 3).

At this point the wrapper has been formed from sheet 13 into a cylindrical tube 4 (FIG. 3) enclosing the cylindrical surface of coin body 2 and includes marginal end portions 21 extending axially outwardly at each end of the coin body. The tube is further provided with generally longitudinally extending, outwardly projecting seam 7 formed of sealed edge portions 11, 12. The only movement required of the coins has been their initial placement as a unit onto the sheet of wrapping material.

It is preferred to partially shrink-form end portions 21 at each end of the body of coins while they are maintained in a tight stack by the axial gripping means. For this purpose, air at an elevated temperature may be directed momentarily at each end of the coin body to impinge upon the inner surfaces of portions 21. This causes axial and circumferential shrinkage of end portions 21, drawing them slightly radially inwardly and axially toward the ends of body 2. End portions 8 of scam 7 correspondingly draw radially and axially inwardly toward the ends of body 2.

The direction in which flattening of edge portions 11, 12 toward tube 4 occurs upon shrinking is determined by the direction of inclination of portions 11, 12 toward one side of scam 7. Partially folding portions 11, 12 before final shrinking of the wrapper assures a neat and uniform flatlying seam rather than one having ripples and irregularities as a result of uncontrolled, multi-directional shrinking.

The next and last step in the formation of the package of this invention is to shrink tube 4 and flanges 6 into firrn engagement with the coin body. Where a heatshrinkable material is employed, this step may be accomplished by subjecting the wrapper to heated atmosphere as in a heated chamber. With flanges 6 partially formed, endwise dislodgment of coins 3 is prevented, so that support may be withdrawn and the coin body may be released from any gripping means or the like and the wrapper alone will hold the coins during further processing.

In the final shrinking operation the package is preferably subjected to a uniformly heated environment to maximize uniformity of shrinkage over its complete surface area. Shrinkage occurs circumferentially of body 2, drawing tube 4 firmly into engagement with the cylindrical surface of the body and causing portions 11, 12 of scam 7 to fold flat against tube 4. Shrinkage axially of body 2 causes shortening of tube 4 and draws its ends into tight engagement with the ends of the coin body. Circumferential and axial shrinkage occurring at marginal portions 21 completes formation of flanges 6, drawing them into firm engagement with the peripheries of coins 3a, 3b at the ends of the coin body, and completes the flattening of seam ends 8 against flanges 6.

It has been found that a most satisfactory material for use in forming the wrapper of the package is a polyvinyl chloride plastic film, sold under the trademark Reynolon K50. This film is biaxially oriented, i.e., it exhibits identical heat shrinkability along both the longitudinal and transverse axes. Available thicknesses range from 0.0005 inch to 0.002 inch, and all are usable in forming the coin package, the greater thicknesses being preferred for heavier coins. Heat shrinkability, in terms of linear dimensional change, varies as a function of thickness, heating temperature, and length of heat application and is readily controlled by varying one or more of these factors. Heat sealing may be accomplished within the temperature range of 305-375 F.

In a typical formation operation, Reynolon K50 of relatively heavy 200 gauge thickness (0.002 inch) has been used as the wrapping material. To obtain an optimum seal at seam 7 platens 15 are brought together only momentrily, exerting momentary pressure along edge portions 11, 12 and simultaneously applying heat from the heat sealing surface of platen edge 16, which is adjusted to heat portions 11, 12 to a sealing temperature in the 305-375" F. range. Momentary application of heat is preferred, since a longer application produces shrinkage of the wrapping material adjacent portions 11, 12, and thus undesirable puckering along the length of seam 7. It should be noted that puckering is further avoided by utilizing a heating surface which is broader than the heating element itself, and which diffuses the applied heat for uniform application to portions 1], 12.

For partially shrinking end portions 21 to initiate formation of flanges 6, heated air is directed momentarily in the manner hereinabove described, at a temperature of approximately 180 F., and, since such application is localized, it does not cause premature shrinkage of tubular portion 4. Subsequent shrinking for completion of the package similarly occurs at a temperature of approximately 180 F., but for this shrinking operation the complete package is preferably subjected to a uniformly heated environment for a period of the order of five seconds.

For the temperatures and times set out above, the wrapper in its completely formed state has undergone shrinkage of approximately 56% around the cylindrical surface of the coin body and approximately 18% at the flanges at each end. Varying the shrinking times and temperatures changes the tightness of the wrap. Additional suitable polyvinyl chloride plastic films are sold under the Reynolon trademark and also under the trademark PVC. These vary in shrinkage and sealing characteristics as well as in degrees of brittleness and toughness.

The relationship between wrapper 1 and coin body 2 in the completed package is best characterized as a controlled shrink-fit, and the wrapper 1 encloses body 2 fully along the cylindrical surface and at the peripheral portion of each end to any desired degree of firmness or tightness to produce an optimum wrap for each denomination of coin. A preferred fit allows slight flexing of wrapper 1 which permits a limited amount of sliding movement between adjacent coins with distortion of the cylindrical body. A tough package results which withstands abuse in handling, rather than a rigid package with a brittle nonyielding wrapper which bursts when mishandled. Se-arn 7 is preferably strong enough to withstand even rough handling and yet be readily opened when desired by a sharp blow.

When a biaxially oriented wrapping material is used, shrinkage occurs axially and circumferentially of the coin body producing a uniformly shrunk wrapper free of creases and ripples and presenting a neat and uniform general appearance. The transparency of the wrapper per mits inspection of the packaged coins without removal of the wrapper, and if it is desired to add printed matter, suitable inks are available for the purpose, such as the acrylic base printing inks sold under the trademarks Vyna- Print and Pliolox. The wrapping material may be dyed to provide a wrapper of a different color for each denomination of coin wrapped.

Seam 7 provided by sealed marginal portions 11, 12 which lie flat against tube portion 4 and flanges 6, is stronger and more effectively resists rupture along the cylindrical surface of the package and at the ends than an unbonded seam, which is subject to unwinding and unfolding. Since portions 11, 12 are drawn flat to follow the contour of the coin body, the resulting package is compact and uniform. Packages may be stood on end and evenly stacked end to end or along the cylindrical surface.

An alternative embodiment of the package (FIGS. 8, 9) is in most respects identical to the above-described package but includes two diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending seams 31, 32 similar to seam 7. Seams 31, 32 include inner seam portions 33, 34 overlying adjacent portions of tube 37 of said package and outer seam portions 35, 36 overlying said inner seam portions. The ends of seams 31, 32 also extend oppositely radially inwardly at each end flange 38 in a manner similar to ends 8 of scam 7.

Formation of the package of FIGS. 8, 9 may be ac complished with two sheets of wrapping material, each being wrapped respectively around one half of the cylindrical surface of coin body 39 and then held together and sealed along the points of abutment. Such packages may be formed in a series between a pair of wrapping strips whereby the upper seam of a preceding package becomes the lower seam for a succeeding package. Upon severing of the individual packages from such a series each may be formed to its final condition by completing shrinking in the manner described with repect to the single seam package of FIG. 4.

It is to be understood that the claims appended hereto are intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for purposes of disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although heat-sealable and heat-shrinkable material has been chosen for the embodiments herein described, plastic sheet material capable of shrinking under other conditions, such as wetting and drying, etc., may be used with equal facility. Likewise the seams of the package of this invention may be formed by adhesively securing the marginal portions of the sheet of wrapping material.

I claim:

A coin package, comprising:

(a) a cylindrical body of coins in axial alginment and face-to-face contact;

(b) a tubular wrapper of shrinkable sheet material curved around the cylindrical surface of said body;

(c) the marginal edges of said material being secured to each other along a longitudinally extending element of said body to form a continuous seam;

(d) said wrapper being shrunk into firm engaging relation with said cylindrical surface;

(e) a radially inturned flange formed by the marginal ends of said material at each end of said wrapper;

(f) said flanges being shrunk into firm engagement with the peripheries of the ends of said body; and,

(g) said marginal edges being shrunk into overlying relation with the portion of said Wrapper and with portions of said flanges adjacent said seam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,878,592 9/1932 McWhiIter et al. 229-872 2,194,904 3/ 1940 Jackson 22987.2 2,480,368 8/1949 Jackson 229-872 2,507,626 5/1950 Ekstrand 931 2,967,383 1/1961 Rumsey 53l4 3,040,385 6/1962 Folta 1859 3,087,610 4/1963 Kirkpatrick 206 3,093,448 4/1963 Kirkpatrick et al. 18-59 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner. 

